Machine for wrapping cotton samples



(No Model C. H. ROBINSGN. MAGHINB PoR WRAPPING COTTON SAMPLES.r

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NITED STATES PATENT muon.

CLAUDE II. ROBINSON, OF ANNISTON, ALABAMA.

MACHINE FOR WRAPPING COTTON SAMPLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 586,065, dated July 6, 1897.

Application filed March 16, 1897. Serial No. 627,874. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, CLAUDE H. ROBINSON, of Anniston, in the county of Calhoun and State of Alabama, have invented a new and Improved Machine for Wrapping Cotton Samples, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple machine through the medium of which a number of samples of cotton may be expeditiously, conveniently, and compactly done up in a roll between suitable wrappers and tied so as to provide a parcel which may be shipped to any desired point without injury to its contents.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine especially adapted for rolling a number of cotton samples into a parcel, the machine being so constructed that a single operator may in a short time complete a large number of such parcels in a most satisfactory manner.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved machine. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, and Fig-..4c is a similar section taken on the line at 4c of Fig. 1.

In order that the object of the improved machine may be clearly understood, it will probably be necessary to explain the way samples of cotton are ordinarily prepared and shipped. Nearly all cotton of even-running grades shipped from the interior is sold in one-hundred-bale lots, all the bales of the lot having a similar mark. Sometimes there are smaller lots and at other times larger ones, but ordinarily the lots, as stated, are of one hundred bales. A sample is drawn out of each individual bale of these lots, dressed down to a convenient size, rolled up into packages, and the packages are given the same number as the numberof the bales from which the samples were taken. These packn ages are sent to the broker or mill where the cotton may be sold. One hundred of these samples, including the papers in which they are wrapped, weigh ordinarily about fifteen pounds. The samples must be rolled very tightly and firmly, which required two or three men to do the work, but by the aid of the improved machine about to be described a boy can make up the samples, roll them, and tie them up into bundles without help. The samples will be compressed by the machine to a smaller size than when wrapped by hand and will present a more uniform and attractive appearance.

A table 10 of any desired dimensions is mounted upon legs 10a, or is sustained by any other approved supports, and at each side of the table an upwardly-extending iiange 11 is formed, the iianges being in the nature of side pieces and being reduced in width at their forward ends to the level of the table. A folding-strip 12 is carried at the upper edge of each side piece or flange 11, being con nected therewith by hinges 13, so that the folding-strips may be brought to a horizontal position over the table or a like position extending outward from the table.

At each side of the forward end of the table a block 14 is exteriorly secured in any suitable or approved manner. Above each block a box 15 is located, and bolts 16 are loosely passed through the boxes and the adjacent blocks 14, the heads 17 of the bolts having bearing upon the top surfaces of the boxes. Springs l8are coiled around the bolts 16, having bearing against the under faces of the blocks 14 and against nuts 19, which are screwed upon the lower ends of the bolts. The springs 1S serve to normally hold the boxes 15 quite close to the blocks lll.

A shaft 20, polygonal in cross-section, is journaled in the boxes l5. One end of the shaft is preferably made circular, as shown in Fig. 3, but the other end is polygonal in cross-section, the opening in the bearing-receiving end being sufiiciently large to admit of the said polygonal end turning freely. The shaft is preferably revolved through the medium of an attached crank-arm 2l and is IOO adapted to be withdrawn at its crank end from the bearings in which it is mounted, at least to such an extent that its circular end will be within the bearing normally provided for the polygonal end.

Beneath the shaft 2O a roller 22 is journaled in the frame, a suitable opening being made in the table to admit of a portion of the roller extending beyond the upper surface of the table.

In operation a strip of paper 23 is laid on the table longer than the samples to be covered and wider than the table, the foldingstrips 12 being then carried from over the table. The samples are arranged in proper order upon that portion of the paper on the table, and the folding-strips 12 are carried down over the wrapping-sheet and over the samples to a substantially horizontal position, in which position they force the upwardly-extending side edges of the wrapping strip downward over the top of the samples. The width of the wrapping-strip maybe sufficient to admit of the folding portions covering the samples. The end of the wrapping strip next to the shaft 2O is held, preferably by hand, against the shaft, which being turned once forward engages the paper and holds it. The shaft is turn ed until the samples and paper are completely folded around it, forming a cylindrical package. The package is now tied with string or other suitable bands, and finally the shaft 20 is given a backward turn, releasing the package. The shaft is now withdrawn from the roll, leaving the package in proper shape to be sent to its destination. As the package or roll increases in size the boxes 15 will move upward against the tension of the springs 18. The folding-strips 12 are then carried over the table and will force the upwardly-extendin g side edges of the wrapping-strip downward over the top of the samples. In this manner the samples of cotton are completely surrounded by the wrapping-strip 23. The forward end of the wrapping-strips is held in engagement with the shaft 20. The shaft is then turned, whereupon the cotton samples and their wrappingsheet will be wound around the shaft, forming a cylindrical package, and as the package increases in size the boxes 15 will be carried upward against the tension of the springs 1S. When all of the samples and the wrappingstrips have been rolled around the shaft 2U, the package thus formed is tied with strings or other suitable bands, and finally the shaft 20, after being given a backward turn to release it from the wrapping-sheets, is withdrawn from the roll, leaving it in proper shape to be sent to its destination.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A machine for wrapping cotton samples, consisting of a table, folding-strips located at the sides of the table, and a tension-controlled revoluble shaft near one end of the foldingstrips, capable of being drawn from the package wrapped upon it, as set forth.

2. A machine for wrapping cotton samples, comprising a table, folding-strips hinged at each side of the table in a manner to extend over the table or be carried outward therefrom,tension-controlled boxes, a shaft mounted to turn in said boxes, being removable therefrom, and means for turning the said shaft, as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a machine for wrapping cotton samples, or samples of like character, the combination, with a table, sides for said table, and folding-strips hinged to be carried inward or outward from the sides, of supports fixed to the sides of the table, boxes loosely placed above the supports,bolts having bearing upon the upper surfaces of the boxes, being passed loosely through the same and through the supports, adjustable bearings located on the lower ends of the bolts, springs surrounding the bolts, resting against the adjustable bearings and against the fixed supports, and a shaft journaled in the said boxes, being re movable therefrom, as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a machine for Wrapping cotton samples, or samples of like character, the combination, with a table, sides for said table, and folding-strips hinged to be carried inward or outward from the sides, of supports fixed to the sides of the table, boxes loosely placed above the supports, bolts having bearing upon the upper surfaces of the boxes, being passed loosely through the same and through the supports, adjustable bearings located on the lower ends of the bolts, springs surrounding the bolts, resting against the adjustable bearings and against the fixed supports, a shaft journaled in the said boxes, being removable therefrom, and a roller journaled in the table, extending partially above its upper face and located below the said shaft, as and for the purpose specified.

CLAUDE II. ROBINSON.

fitnessesz J. W. MCCAFFREY, W. C. SMrrH.

IOO 

